On September 1, David Wichmann became the CEO of United Health Group, the largest U.S. health insurer. He replaced Stephen Hemsley, who will move into a newly created position, executive chairman of the board.
Hemsley leaves the top job after a good run. He became CEO in 2006 when the previous CEO was forced to leave due to a scandal involving the back-dating of options.
Hemsley guided the company through that scandal, as well as the recession and the changes involved in adapting to the Affordable Care Act—and ultimately into a new era of growing profits. When he left the job, United Health was on track to exceed $200 billion in revenues for the year.
“Wichmann’s move into the CEO spot was the culmination of almost four years of discussion, careful planning, leadership development and execution.”
Wichmann is no doubt familiar with the plans and actions that have driven that success. He joined UnitedHealth in 1998, and prior to being named president in 2014, he was the company’s CFO. In his time at UnitedHealth, he has directed operations and technology efforts and led external development, M&A and integration activities.
Wichmann’s move into the CEO spot was widely expected, and reportedly the result of careful planning. It was “the culmination of almost four years of discussion, careful planning, leadership development and execution,” noted Richard Burke, the company’s founder, and current lead independent director at UnitedHealth. “Dave Wichmann was one of Steve Hemsley’s first hires at our company and has been preparing for the CEO role for many years.”
“The board of United Health should be commended for planning and executing such a thoughtful CEO succession,” says Dr. Paul Winum, co-head of RHR International’s Board and CEO Practice. “With Mr. Hemsley staying on as executive chairman of the board, Mr. Wichmann will benefit from his ongoing advice and counsel and hopefully will also be unrestrained from putting his own leadership stamp on the company as it moves into its next chapter.”
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
